The number of Vermonters who seek weekly jobless benefits is up slightly.
The seasonally-adjusted statewide unemployment rate for November was 2.1 percent. This reflects an increase of one-tenth of one percentage point. The civilian labor force participation rate was 64.4 percent in November, an increase of two-tenths of one percentage point from the prior month’s revised estimate. State labor commissioner Michael Harrington says economic indicators resemble pre-recession levels, yet one notable exception is Vermont’s persistently high number of job vacancies. A surplus of job opportunities helps job hunting, but navigating unemployment remains challenging.
Monica White, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living , has decided to step down . Her last day will be Friday, January 12. White has served as Commissioner since March of 2021. Deputy Commissioner Megan Tierney-Ward will serve as Acting Commissioner until a replacement is appointed
A Fair Haven Police officer will not face any charges connected to a fatal officer-involved shooting in June. The Vermont Attorney General’s Office Friday cleared Detective. Shaun Hewitt of any wrongdoing in the death of 38 year old Kenneth Barber. Police responded on June 19 to Washington Street in Fair Haven after reports of a fight. They say Barber was reportedly armed with a gun and neighbors were holding him down. After Detective Hewitt arrived, police say Barber jumped in his car and attempted to drive away. Hewitt fired his gun, hitting and killing Barber.
No traffic impact on the route 119 bridge project but plenty of activity is still taking place. The construction of the temporary shoring tower between Piers 1 and 2 has been completed. The contractor will begin to advance structural steel over Pier 2 and to the shoring towers over the coming weeks. The de-watering and subsequent operations of cutting piles and placing rebar cages have been rescheduled with the de-watering slated to begin middle/end of next week. The new bridge will be completed next year.
It will be a long holiday weekend for many local government workers. In Brattleboro, all Town Offices will be closed on Monday,
Brooks Memorial Library will be open today but closed on Monday.
Trash, recycling and composting will be delayed a day next week by the holiday.
96 7 TSA FM Sports, The Boston Bruins lost to Winnipeg 5 to one. The Celtics play the Clippers at Los Angeles this afternoon. The New England Patriots will play Sunday night at Denver
